The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-04-22
NUMBER ii.
HANDED PEOPLE.
Some OF the Advantages and Disadvantage
Under Which They Labor.

Some OF the Advantages and Disadvantages
Under Which They Labor.
" The majority of people are right
handed because they are trained to
be So"
This was the reply of g doctor TO
reporter who Intercepted him on the
subject.
Several theories have been advanced
why people are generally right-handed, "
continued the physician, 80 but with
what reason scientists have never taken
the trouble to demonstrate.
" Perhaps that which would come
nearest the truth, if any law of nature
were found to govern dexterity, would
be that the heart, being placed on
the left side, the right side should be
used with greater freedom.
" Another theory is that the brain Is
weightier on the right side than the
left
Whatever the cause may be, I
find that those who in youth have
trained themselves to using the left
hand experience no difficulty or incon-
venience.
When child is 'sinistrously' in
clined and takes to using the left
hand by such natural inclination, it
is not because of any malformation
or displacement of the heart or
brain. Consequently I am led to
the belief that it is all a matter Of
training"
Several other physicians who were
spoken to on the subject gave the
same opinion.
Inquiry of a number of left-handed
people confirmed the statement that
no inconvenience resulted from the
use of the left hand, but that on the
contrary they find it a positive
advantage, inasmuch as that IN
numerous instances they become am
bidexterous.
Persons who have much writing to
do are liable to "pen paralysis" or
''writers' cramp," lasting sometimes
for weeks Ordinarily, after several
hours constant writing, the arm is very
much fatigued.
Where a person can write with both
hands he can rest one, and if by any
accident he should be deprived of
temporary or permanent use of the
hand he Is accustomed to use he
will be able to 90 fall back" on the
other.
In telegraphv likewise, where an
operator has to transmit or receive
long messages, he is subject to ''tele-
Craphers' cramp." which Is sometimes
similar to writers cramp.
The work Is laboriOus and fatiguing,
but when the operator can use both
hanls he can not only save him
sell much fatigue, but facilitate the
work.
Some tradesmen who are left
handed can command better wages
than right-handed men Of equal
ability.
This is shown in the case of q
boiler-riveter, who, if left-handed, can
work inside a boiler without the awk
wardness of q right-handed man and do
superior work.
An engraver who uses both hands
can always command a position.
Smiths. carpenters, and other artisans
also derive much advantage from the
US Of both hands, and Il - no
happen to be left-handed experience
any inconvenience.
A person who operates typewriter
finds 1t necessary to use both hands,
and has to train himself to 1t when
learning the instrument.
Many tools are made which are in
tended to be used with the right hand
only. and can only be operated with
great awkwardness with the left hand.
This is said to also contribute toward
making a majority of people right
handed.
Notwithstanding all that can be
said in favor Of the education of
the left hand, there is a powerful
prejudice against it; and left-handed
people are spoken of contemptuously.
In the Western States a left
handed man is usually said to be
"south paved"
In England the nickname Is Kit, s.
and in ireland it Is used as a dis
tinct appeIlation for the Identification
of particular persons, as Shawn na
/ Kithogue" ue"-Left- handed john Phil
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